How many miles a day can we go?

[randster]

Hi everyone, new to the RV world and we are first time renters. We plan on driving from Florida to New Hampshire in a 32 foot class C (Entegra Esteem). How many miles a day could we reasonably drive, given we know driving around 60-65mph is reasonable? Do you think 500 miles per day is too much? I know we would miss out on the true adventure side by just driving all day but we have a small window of time where we can go.

Thank you for any advice; this forum has such wonderful information!

[FULLTIMEWANABE]

Twenty plus years ago, we thought nothing of pulling a 36ft 5er as a "weekend warrior" I think is the term often used, starting at 3pm when the kids got out of school and stopping in a rest area at around 2am/3am in the morning then doing another 8 hours the next day starting around 8am, to get most of the time at our destination.

Fast forward to today and hubby being 63 years of age, we sometimes feel driving an hour is far enough LOL. You have received awesome advice in the fore mentioned posts. YOU will find YOUR groove, just on your first couple of trips out don't book anything if you can, albeit have a plan for where you can stop after 3 hours, 5 hours, 8 hours maybe. Take it all in stride, the journey is half the fun, not just the destination.

Happy & Safe Travels.

[1320Fastback]

Towing a 24' toy hauler with a old truck the most we ever did was 714 miles in one day. It was horrible but got us a extra day at the destination. 500 miles is really about all I would want to do and that is still a long day with minimal stopping time for fuel and food.

Ideal would be 300-400 miles per day.

[time2roll]

300 for us is good, 400 is long, 500 is about max. Either way I like to leave early enough to be in camp for dinner. Breakfast and lunch on the road is fine.

[ppine]

Smart move.

[bobndot]

However many miles you drive its a good idea to stop and walk around a little every 2 hrs. or so. Your movement being limited behind the wheel is not a good thing.
Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Causes , if you google it you will see 'limited movement' like driving on long trips as being a cause.

[ferndaleflyer]

I am 79 and drove my DP 400mi yesterday like nothing. I have always drove longer distances at times than others thought reasonable. Drove many times from Baltimore to Tampa--Clearwater only stopping once. Last long trip I drove a 45ft DP from CA to lower FL in 3 days and 2 nights.....Like said above it depends on you.

[MDKMDK]

Also agree with Drew on interstate choice up the east coast.

[Jack_Spratt]

500 miles in the eastern corridor is completely different than out west.
10 hour days are okay for us but after a couple we shorten up the driving time.
Drew is right, I 81 Is a lot less stressful than I 95 And only adds about an hour
to your route.

[Grit_dog]

randster wrote:
Thanks very much, everyone! I really appreciate the fast feedback. Seems the consensus is we're pushing the limit a bit too far as:
1) we have kids
2) NOT in our 20s as one poster replied
3) First timers, meant to take it easy!

Going to save our trip for when we can actually enjoy the trip and keep the mileage much lower per day.

Aww c'mon randster. Not going to be a better summer than this one. Next year everyone will be back to work, kids will be busier.
1) You said kids, not babies, besides, you have a Xbox/refrigerator/chip cabinet on wheels. Kids won't care.
2) Don't puss out and act old because you're in your 30s or 40s. He!!, if you're in your 40s, can one of the kids take a turn at the wheel? You could roll 800 miles a day!
3) First timers driving a bus? Yeah me too, only driven one once. Way easier than my truck with TC. No reason it shouldn't feel like just drivin a truck down the highway. Point er straight, line up the hood ornament with the fog line if you can't conceptualize staying in your lane. It's got an auto transmission, stereo, AC and cruise control......and a fridge microwave, potty (and the previously mentioned potato chip cabinet). It can't get any easier unless you just hire someone to drive for you.

Throw a 12 pack of redbulls in the luxurious fridge (and a 5th of Titos if you want the trip to be more fun than it already will be) and hit the open road!!

[DrewE]

Decent advice has been given.

Expect the going to be generally a little slower in the motorhome (overall) than in a car or minivan. You may not be able to maintain the speed limit on hills or in windy conditions. Gas stops will take a little longer--pumping 45 gallons takes longer than pumping 20 gallons--and maneuvering in parking lots, etc. is slower going, and things just generally are a bit slower. Driving the motorhome I find a bit more demanding and draining than driving my car--not hard or nerve-racking, in general, but a bit more demanding and consequently I don't care to drive quite so long as I would in the car.

If you've driven a U-Haul, a class C motorhome is in many ways similar, with more comfortable seats and often a little better visibility due to windows in the body of the vehicle.

Whenever you do make the trip, I recommend taking the I-81 route rather than I-95; I-95 through Washington, Baltimore, Philly, NYC, and Boston is stressful driving and sometimes slow. There are other non-interstate routes, of course, that are also reasonable but slower going.

[MDKMDK]

Considering the variety of answers so far, I'd say "it depends" is probably the right one. Good luck with it, and don't go beyond your limit. You'll know when you reach it.

[BB_TX]

Really only you will know. And you will not know until after at least a couple of travel days. With stops for food, fuel, and restroom you will average 50-55 mph. Some people don’t have a problem traveling 10-12 hours a day. Some don’t go over 5-6 hours. Some do a long day followed by a short day or some variation. Only you (and family) can determine what works for you. And even that will likely change with experience. Enjoy.

[I-Can-Am-Can-Yo]

I’m 42 and drive a 32’ class C. 500 miles is my absolute upper limit. More than that is an *** kicking.

I have an 8 year old and he doesn’t mind riding long trips.

[jdc1]

Just did a round trip to Northern Idaho. Each day I drove 700 miles the first day and almost 300 the second. Advisable? NO. My wife was not with me so I pushed the limits (64 years old) with my truck and 5th wheel combo. I slept in the rest areas with the truckers each night. Nope....Not even a semi could wake me in the wee hours of the night. I would suggest, like others, to limit yourself to 500 miles a day, less if you want to stay married a long time.

[Grit_dog]

How fast does the RV go and what are the speed limits?
East coast, how will the traffic be (probably fine, it's still good here due to the work at home Rona fear)?
Most importantly, how old are you?

Avg age here on this forum, umm probably born when Truman was president, and still drive like they're in an Edsel on Route 66, IE, most of the answers will seem shockingly low unless you yourself also are eligible for AARP.

I would assume 500mi a day minimum with 1 driver and those pesky 65-70 mph east coast speed limtis. 2 capable drivers, 700+ shouldn't be an issue as long as noone has an overly active bladder (problem solved, you have an on board potty) or has narcolepsy. This still allowing for a decent night's sleep.